Blast Furnace and the Heatwaves

Blast Furnace and the Heatwaves were a London-based rhythm & blues band, that flourished in the 1970s. Lead singer and harmonica player, Blast Furnace, was the alter-ego of then New Musical Express journalist and rock and blues historian, Charles Shaar Murray. The band recorded a four track EP Blue Wave, which included two original songs and two rocking r 'n b tracks, one of which was recorded live at London's Roundhouse. The EP also featured backing vocals from Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy and Bob Geldof of The Boomtown Rats. This was followed by a single South Of The River. Members of the band included Charles Shaar Murray (vocals, guitar & harp), Skid Stuart (harp & vocals) and Andy Eastwood (guitars). The original rhythm section of Andy St Clare (bass) and Nigel Elliott (drums) was replaced by Kevin Allen (bass) and John Mackie (drums), both from The Stukas, for the South Of The River tour with Wilko Johnson's Solid Senders.